Exploring the Intersection of Efficiency and Librarianship

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

The basic idea of organizing is to get rid of stuff you don’t need, and then place the items to keep in an appropriate spot out of the way where they can be found again when needed. However, mental attachments to our belongings can trick us into retaining items long past their usefulness or value, which leads to clutter and confusion.

In her best-selling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo created a systematic approach to organizing home and office spaces that can be quickly implemented by anyone. While most people read the book for the nuts and bolts of how to organize a closet or drawer, the book shares a deeper Zen-like philosophy which resonates beyond the mere allocation of our stuff. Marie calls it the KonMari Method™. From her web site:

The KonMari Method™ is a way of life and a state of mind that encourages cherishing the things that spark joy in people’s lives.

Belongings are acknowledged for their service and thanked before being let go of, if they no longer spark joy.

People are drawn to this philosophy not only due to its effectiveness, but also because it places great importance on being mindful, introspective, and optimistic.